When would there be the day when religion is safe from Politics?

Devotees from the North and East are seen taking part in the Pada Yathra and making their way towards Kataragama.    

• It’s very healthy to know that certain religious events are devoid of political interference. Another prominent religious event which has remained ‘untouched’ by politics is the Madu pilgrimage
• This is a country where the South was cut off from the North due to the almost three decades old civil war. And an event like Pada Yathra underscores that in the absence of political interference, members belonging to different communities can freely interact

It was so lovely to witness the concluding of the Pada Yathra (trek) pilgrimage for 2025 on July the fourth sans major issues. Why even talk about major issues during a religious event? We need to do that because Sri Lanka is one of those countries which has used religion as a tool to cause divisions within a community.   

It’s very healthy to know that certain religious events are devoid of political interference. Another prominent religious event which has remained ‘untouched’ by politics is the Madu pilgrimage. Interestingly, the above mentioned festival shares a common feature with the Pada Yathra, and that is: ‘The journey is taxing and is completed sans comforts’.   

This is a country where the South was cut off from the North due to rhe almost three decades old civil war. And an event like Pada Yathra underscores that in the absence of political interference, members belonging to different communities can freely interact. When the Pada Yathra concludes in Kataragama, the pilgrims, mostly Tamils making the trek, are always welcomed warmly by their Sinhala brethen from the south.   

For our Sri Lankan politicians, religious festivals are ‘fodder’ for politicians for personal gains. Most recently, the exposition of relics of Gautama Buddha in Kandy went well before a certain temple official used his powers to usher in special guests ‘through the back door’. People who were awaiting their turn in the queue to witness the relics were flabbergasted. Investigations revealed that the temple official had entertained special guests in a controversial manner, so that he would be benefited during an upcoming election of office bearers who have power in temple administration.   

Awaiting one’s turn in the queue demands patience and great endurance. It’s a wait that must be endured. And according to Buddhists, at the end of all that waiting, a glimpse of the sacred relics gives devotees joy and satisfaction that’s unbounded. It’s the long wait that makes this experience all the more satisfying. Politicians have a way of changing the equation and how traditions must be practised.   

There was a time when there was much talk to initiate a cable car service to Adam’s Peak. That would have replaced a traditional journey by foot (5500 steps) to the summit. That cable car project never materialised despite it being floated in the air by someone, probably with a political agenda. Lawmakers are hawkeyed and are quick to pounce on opportunities present in holy lands, either to cause divisions or to mint money.   

We hardly see lawmakers taking part in pilgrimages which are challenging. But they could be present when the circumstances resemble a pressure cooker in full steam. We remember how a loud mouthed politician during the Rajapaksa regime threw his weight around at a famous Kali Kovil (A shrine dedicated to Ma Kali). This politician ordered the shrine priests to stop animal sacrifice at the premises because it was his opinion that such acts were not correct. That was a clear occasion of political interference in religious activities.   

The island of Katchatheevu was once a place where Christian devotees from both India and Sri Lanka could visit and take part in a well-organised religious festival. But tensions have been simmering between Sri Lanka and India since the latter has shown interest in acquiring this island. For the record, the Indian Central Government was compelled to review the ‘Katchatheevu Island issue’ after the Tamil Nadu Assembly passed a resolution early this year urging the ‘Centre’ to retrieve the island ceded to Sri Lanka. This island was ceded to Sri Lanka back in 1974. It’s the wish of Sri Lankan devotees that this island and its religious festival is not politicised for political gains. For the record, as many as 3400 pilgrims made the trip to the Sri Lankan island this time around to participate in the Katchchatheevu Church festival.   

As much as the Pada Yathra welcomes people from different communities from the North, Central and Eastern provinces, people in the north must provide for people from the south who make their tours to the North, especially Jaffna. But still, we hear cries for justice regarding those who have disappeared and lands that have been forcefully occupied. Though the ‘fires of a civil war’ have been doused in the north, tension remains in these areas. We cannot still imagine a Pada Yathra taking place starting from the south and winding up in Jaffna. It is the duty of our lawmakers to ensure that religion is kept out of politics.